Use our map to find your local welfare assistance scheme

Prior to April, community care grants were available to support people who need support to live independently in the community. Crisis loans were available to provide help with short term needs in a crisis.

These two forms of support for general living expenses were abolished in 2013. New local provision of these will be administered by local authorities in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. If the welfare reform bill becomes law, changes will be applied in Northern Ireland this autumn.

The funding provided for establishing local welfare assistance schemes has been provided on a non-ringfenced basis, which has resulted in local authorities across the country establishing different schemes of provision. (Read more about the effects of the end of crisis loans and community care grants in our report on changes to emergency support.)

For as many local authorities as possible, our table below provides links to local information about local welfare assistance schemes that are available across the UK. Where possible, we linked to pages providing information about eligibility and making an application.

Other help available

Budgeting loans are available through the DWP to help claimants who have been on an income-related benefit for at least 26 weeks. The loans help cover costs of essential items for which it is difficult to budget. More information is on the gov.uk website.

If you are in financial need because of a delay on dealing with a claim, or making payment of a benefit award you may be able to get a short term advance. Find out more on the Turn2Us website.

Find your local welfare assistance scheme

We have information about local welfare assistance schemes across the UK.

Our map contains information about schemes across the UK. In Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the schemes are country-wide, while in England all local authorities have their own schemes.

If you have any further information about any of the schemes where we have listed as 'information unavailable' or if you notice that any of the links provided are no longer working, please let us know and we'll update the map.

Note

This page, including the map, has been updated since its original publication date.

So one of the area's with one of the highest level of deprivation Thornaby, Stockton on Tees (which is just outside Middlesbrough) is not included, does this mean there are no provisions in our region?
How would I find out if there are please? Local council?
cheers
jacqui

All that info are perfect for first time users.
If you took any help from councill then for next 2 YEARS you can forget about any form of assistance.
I recieve 42 quid for 2 years toward help for myslef and my father who had cancer with massive spread all over his system.

Hi, I've been told that I'm only entitled to a bed and a microwave by the Calderdale Local Authority. This is for a wholly unfurnished property rented from a private landlord. I suffer from arthritis to my hip(I'm awaiting a renewed total hip replacement after the firsfailed) and back and a number of mental health Thaproblems. I have applied for a budgeting loan and was awarded £73 due to previous crisis loans when they stopped my benefits as my ESA is in appeal as the ATOS medical was a shambles. I understand there is no process of appeal to the LA decision. I have no money to buy an orthopedic chair let alone any luxury such as a washing machine. Are there any other options open to me? Thanks in anticipation of a reply...

I live in Hampshire England and am in need of applying for a crisis loan a food bank isn't going to put electric on and even even if I got a job a month or two without heat or electric and food is their a scheme in Southampton I can apply for cash like a crisis loan because if their is no one is advertising it thanks . jo

Hi
Was just hoping for some help on getting some help with getting a new dishwasher and washing machine as I am disabled and a mother of four young children but dont seem to be able to find anything on website to get any help thanks

If your local authority is not able to help (if you put your postcode in the search box on the map, that should lead you to the relevant page on your local authority's website), please try your local Citizens Advice Bureau, http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that your situation sounds difficult. If your local authority is not able to help (if you put your postcode in the search box at the top of the map on this page, it should lead you to the relevant page on your local authority's website), please try your local Citizens Advice Bureau. You can search by postcode on the homepage of their website, http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Hi, in a bit of a crisis really.... My boyfriend could be out of prison in Sep or Jan. Just wondering because he is going to be bailed to my address and we are going to be living together what help can we get finance wise whilst he is looking for work. I currently claim housing benefit and income support because I am 19 and still in full time education, however when he comes to live with me the housing benefit will probably get cut or stopped because I will no longer be a single occupier of the household.
What can we get finance wise to help us through until he finds a job cus I can barely find the money for my rent as it is let alone eat and pay the electric, gas and water bills.
I live in Keighley area
Thanks

I hope that this is of use. But if your local authority is not able to help, please try your local Citizens Advice Bureau. You can search by postcode on the homepage of their website, http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Hi there,
i was wondering if you could help me find out where to get help in Exeter. We are a family of four moving from a 1 bed flat to a 3 bed house and need some help with the cost of carpets.
I have searched online but can't seem to find anything online.

Thanks for your question. Have you contacted your local authority - I believe Devon is your local authority in Exeter - and asked them about their local assistance schemes? You can find their contact information on their website: http://www.devon.gov.uk/contact_us

Also, we list a couple of other types of assistance higher on this page (budgeting loans and the Turn2Us website). You can also try your local Citizens Advice Bureau, searching by postcode on the homepage of their website, http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

hi im 26 and have a 5 year old daughter i was recently made homeless and redundant and i had no where to store anything so i have lost all of my furniture. i have just been offered somewhere to live and am now claiming j.s.a. my new home has no oven and i dont have a microwave i don't even have a bed for myself, does anyone know where i can get help towards an oven and a bed until i can get some funds together. i cant claim for a budgeting loan as i have only been on J.S.A for 8 weeks. thanks for any advice